Some people believe that the definition of faith is “belief in something despite lacking any evidence for it.” But, Hebrews 11:11 is the closest that the Bible comes to offering an exact definition of faith. Now this definition defies the common definition of faith, because the Bible gives a lot of evidence for it.
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (NASB)
Biblical Evidence
The Biblical definition of faith defies the common definition of faith, because the Bible gives a lot of evidence for it.
In the Bible, the object of faith is God and His promises. A clear example of faith is Abram’s encounter with God. In response to God’s promise of countless descendants, Abram “believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
Further evidence is given for this faith when the Apostle Paul writes, “yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:20, 21)
Thus, Biblical Faith . . .
Thus, Biblical faith is more than intellectual agreement, it is putting your trust in God and having confidence that He will fulfill his promises.
Genuine biblical faith expresses itself in everyday life.
James writes that “faith by itself, apart from works, is dead” (James 2:17). Faith works through love to produce tangible evidence of its existence in a person’s life (Galatians 5:6). The obedience that pleases God comes from faith (Romans 1:5; 16:26), rather than a mere sense of duty or obligation.
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Conclusion
Your faith is so important because it is the means by which you have a relationship with God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith is how you receive the benefits of what Jesus has done for us. Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to God, died to pay the penalty for our sinful rebellion against God, and rose from the dead to defeat sin, death, and the devil.
By putting our faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. Our faith means relying completely on who Jesus is and what He has done for us to be made right with God.
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